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A tribute to the fish that keep us coming back for more!
Florida is recognized around the globe as The Fishing Capital of the
World. State waters provide renowned inshore fisheries for tarpon,
bonefish, permit, snook, redfish and more. Our extensive, close to
shore natural and artificial reef systems provide ideal habitat for
hundreds of diverse species. Where else in the country can you drop
bait to the bottom just minutes from shore and catch upwards of ten
kinds of fish in a single day?
We’re fortunate to have so many opportunities. Nevertheless, the one area where South Florida deserves a little more recognition is in its offshore arena. The summer season is now upon us and greater numbers of anglers are heading further off the beach in search of thrilling encounters. Many will come home rewarded with vivid fish tales that will last a lifetime.
Locally, the offshore fishing community generally associates the summer season with the hottest dolphin bite of the year. Rarely do anglers take the time to consider that along with all the dolphin, come the marauders that feed on them. As the blistering heat of the summer continues, nutrient rich Gulf Stream waters frequently yield hyped up members of the big-game world. More than one group of fishermen trolling ballyhoo along a weed line have been pleasantly surprised by an acrobatic marlin or blistering yellowfin tuna. Crews heading out under the cover of darkness have also been enlightened by the sporadic mako shark that mistook swordfish bait for an easy meal. All of these magnificent hunters will plaster a smile on any angler’s face. Though not here in large numbers, even individually these glorified adversaries reign supreme at the top of the food chain. Most recorded catches have been primarily incidental but if more anglers focused on proven strategies and techniques, we may be able to solidify a local fishery that most don’t even know exists.
There are ample, credible fish stories proving that marlin, both blue and white, yellowfin tuna and shortfin makos, all species that gorge on juvenile dolphin, are present and will not hesitate to grab hold of the right lure or bait. Problem is weekend anglers are often focused on one of the many sure bets available closer to home. It’s hard to put an entire crew together who are willing to dedicate an entire Saturday to something new.
I’m personally guilty of sticking with proven tactics. Live baiting the reef is a tried-and-true technique that consistently provides my charters with outstanding results. Clients pay me to take them fishing, not on a boat ride. Very few, if any have ever said “hey Dennis, let’s head offshore and try and hook up with a marlin or big yellowfin tuna.” The majority of paying customers are comfortable knowing their targeting the most predominant species in the area. That’s not such a bad idea, as the choice assures the greatest level of success. However, with that said, dedicating an entire day and 100% of your efforts toward big-game species may very well payoff with an astonishing encounter with one of South Florida’s pelagic surprises.
White marlin:
Whites are highly prized game fish. Their range extends the entire eastern and western Atlantic Ocean and well up into the Gulf. Characteristically, white marlin are sight-oriented, daytime hunters. They strike hard and provide smoking runs. White marlin can reach lengths in excess of 7 feet and weight over 100 pounds. They’re opportunistic by nature and will eat just about anything they can catch. World wide the most popular and effective natural baits include rigged mullet, mackerel, squid and fresh strip baits. However rigged ballyhoo, either naked or in combination with a favorite lure surely have accounted for more Florida whites than any other bait. What’s more, aggressive white marlin will readily strike almost any skirted lure, as long as it’s trolled fast and close to the surface.
Clean water in 350 ft. plus is where to look for a white. To increase your odds keep a keen eye out for up-wellings, weed-lines and temperature breaks. As with any billfish, they must be handled with care. Though uncommon in South Florida waters, more than a handful of whites are in-fact caught & released each year.
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Blue marlin:
I believe it was Hemingway who once called the Florida Keys the blue marlin capital of the world. With the evolution of recreational fishing around the globe, this unfortunately has proven to be no longer true. However, South Florida still ranks as one of the most likely places in the continental United States to catch a blue. Lone fish averaging 200 to 400 lbs. can be found anywhere from one tip of the State to the next.
In South Florida a marlin may shock you on any day of the year, though the overall bite seems to peak in the summer. Not surprisingly, coinciding with the most favorable sea conditions of the year.
Blue marlin prefer to feed above the thermocline in the warm waters near the surface and have rarely been recorded feeding at night. Blue marlin’s menu typically consists of dolphin, tuna and mackerel. They can easily consume a meal larger than 10% of their bodyweight so don’t be intimidated pulling XXL baits! Spend an entire day offshore in probable areas where their favorite forage may be holding. Drag a pair of rigged Spanish mackerel along with a couple of big chuggers close to the transom and see what happens.
Increasing in popularity, a number of South Florida billfish connoisseurs have turned to live baits in their attempt to entice blues. A handful of Key West charter boats have refined the exciting technique of drifting through likely areas with live dolphin, bonito, large blue runners or small tuna. It’s sailfishing on a much bigger scale!
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Yellowfin Tuna:
Statewide, reports of yellowfin tuna are progressing. Platform rigs dotting the northern Gulf consistently yield super catches of fish in the 20 to 60 lb. range. It’s also commonplace for boaters regularly crossing the ‘Stream in the Canaveral area to hit the docks with fish boxes chocked full of fresh sushi. In the southern half of the State, it’s delightful to read a mounting number of anglers reporting increased encounters with these extraordinarily powerful fish.
Each season from Palm Beach to Key West, more than a handful of kite fishermen and blue water trollers’ are pleasantly surprised when a raiding yellowfin seizes their bait. Unfortunately, locally yellowfin tuna rarely concentrate in designated areas long enough to specifically target them. These fish are constantly feeding and constantly on the move, rarely holding in one location for any length of time. Yellowfin are strong schoolers and have a tendency to group together with similar species of the same size. It’s not uncommon to find a lone yellowfin mixed in with skipjack, bonito or other tunas. Throughout southeast Florida and the Keys your best bet to connect is unfortunately coincidental. Find bonito or blackfins and you may find a yellowfin.
To hook up with one of these coveted fish, lady luck has to be on your side. Just being at the right place at the right time, isn’t enough. Pound for pound yellowfin tuna are questionably the strongest fish in the ocean. Tie into a 60 lb. yellowfin on 20 lb. class spinning gear, and the only thing you’ll need to worry about is how you’re going to fish for the rest of the day with no more line on your reel. To stand a chance at landing even a modest 40 lb. yellowfin, appropriate 30 to 50 lb. conventional stand up tackle is a requirement.
Yellowfin tuna will devour just about anything they can catch, which doesn’t leave very much out. Along with a long list of fin-fishes, shrimp, crabs and lobster have also been found in their abdomens. As a rule though, all the customary rigged baits will do the trick along with a variety of artificial trolling lures. Favorites include true running bullets and fast smoking jets. Yellowfin have also been known to swallow live baits intended for more popular sailfish, kingfish and dolphin, so keep at it. Your day will come!
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Mako sharks.
Ferocious in their attacks, vicious on the other end of the line and brutal in the battle field, that’s the best way to describe the shortfin mako. These streamlined eating machines have inhabited the Straits of Florida for millions of years. Evolution has left the mako shark the perfect killer who’s common name is derived from the Maori term mako-mako. Roughly translated, mako-mako means man-eater!
Ask anyone who has ever had the pleasure of going head to head with a considerable size mako, and they’ll probably tell you they don’t ever want to do it again. Unfortunately, reminiscent of yellowfin tuna, crossing paths with a mako in South Florida waters will be purely incidental. Anglers drifting the Gulf Stream at night probably account for most local caught specimens. I recall a particular fish a couple years back that tipped the scales at over 800 lbs! I’m sure the group of Miami guys who were out swordfishing never expected what came their way. Rumors say the battle lasted approx. 8 hours!
For those who aren’t in the know, a mako is one of the only species of sharks that when agitated, will frantically summersault 20 ft. into the air. Hooked makos will literally leap right into the cockpit! Let me give you fair warning: If a mako jumps in your boat, you should jump out! Just kidding, but do get as far away and as high as possible to avoid serious injury.
Like most predatory hunters, mako sharks are opportunistic feeders and will consume anything they can sink their teeth into, dead or alive. Next time you’re out in swordfish territory, try fishing a butterflied bonito or scored king mackerel on a two hook cable rig. Unexpectedly, you may be surprised at what might be lurking below.
Success at big game angling requires the culmination of many variables and years of experience. If there’s only one piece of advice I can leave you with, it’s that this isn’t the place for inadequate equipment. Rods, reels all terminal gear and every accessory need to be in tip top shape. Always double check your running line and leaders for nicks or abrasions that may be a weak link. Ensure that your reel’s drag system is operating smoothly and take the time to sharpen every hook. Every big game angler in the world will tell you there’s nothing worse than losing a trophy fish due to tackle failure. Safety should also be a big concern. If your passengers or vessel are not up for the challenge, you should probably target more manageable species.
Make no mistake about it; big-game fishing is a team sport. Once you realize that you’ve crossed paths with one of South Florida’s pelagic surprises, everyone should relax and implement a predetermined plan of action. Whoever isn’t fighting the fish should immediately clear all the other lines and the deck of all unnecessary obstructions. Make sure in advance of the trip that each member understands their duties and that you’ve chosen the correct party for each task at hand.
Big game angling may not be for everyone. Many anglers are content targeting one of the many other available species, which is fine. Though, if you’ve never had the fortune to experience a big marlin, tuna or shark, you should at least give it a try. Even though there are countless foreign destinations that offer a higher probability of encounter, none are as convenient or as rewarding as our own front yards. Regardless if you hook up or not, I guarantee the entire experience will be both educational and gratifying. Until next time, live a little and go for the gold!
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